A Resident in Nelson Mandela Bay has told Algoa FM news how she was twice the victim of a smash and grab incident at a busy intersection in the city.
Yolandi Kunneke says the first incident was about a month ago when a man forced his hand into the window to try and grab her necklace. She says the window was open only slightly and not even her seven year old grandson would have been able to get his hand through the space.
"I saw the guy in my mirror and he stuck his hand in that little gap and tried to grab my necklace and I bit him. He ran away and scratched my neck"
She says the second incident was just a week ago.
"The same thing happened on the opposite side of Kempston road by the tyre factory. They grabbed my cheap necklace but hurt my lip in the process. It was so hot I had to open the window a little bit."
Yolande says she has to drive that road every single day and have decided to not wear any necklaces and to never open her window, even if it is hot outside, not even for a little bit.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has since issued a warning to motorists to be extra vigilant at certain intersections in the city.
Some intersections are notorius for smash and grab incidents and others have now also been identified as hotspots.
These include the intersections at Harrower and Kempston Roads, the intersection at Mercantile Hospital, as well as the crossing from Kleinskool to Perserverance and the Standford Road off ramp.
The Metro's head of safety and security John Best says they are working with the South African Police and have strategies in place
"Some of the hotspot areas do have cameras and they are being monitored. I can speak on behalf of the Metro police and say that we will be patrolling that area as part of the 'Summer Season Operational Plan'.
Best says motorists still leave valuable items on the passenger seats, including wallets, cellphones, tablets and handbags.
